Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the left arm and right arm disability claims, and denied all issues of increased rating or service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was previously denied a rating in excess of 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is now remanded.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus (including plantar fasciitis) remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus with arthritis prior to September 14, 2018, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated pronounced disability.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar, cervical, right foot, left foot, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as there is no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he had a substantially gainful employment prior to October 29, 2015 and the evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and GERD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's pes planus (flatfeet) is being remanded for further review due to conflicting service records and the need for clarification of his service periods in Southwest Asia. Other claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, hemorrhoids, and hypertension due to a lack of adequate medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability and thoracolumbar spine disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case will be further developed to clarify dates of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) and Indefinite Non-Academic Training and Reservist (INACDUTRA) service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection. His bilateral foot disability, including hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, is not related to his service-connected knee disability or any other in-service injury. The cervical spine disability is denied as there is no nexus between the current condition and service. The upper extremity radiculopathy is also denied due to lack of a direct connection.

Service connection is granted for left ankle degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right knee degenerative arthritis.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea and Meniere's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current flat feet and mallet toes and his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The left elbow and foot disabilities are denied, with the exception of a remand for further examination to determine if they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, which pre-existed his entry into service and was noted at the time of his enlistment examination, was aggravated during his period of active duty service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for foot disorder, other than bilateral pes planus, is remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an eye disability, to include a disability manifested by defective vision, is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of additional evidence, and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of calcaneal/osseous spurs.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a foot conditions examination. The examiner will provide opinions on whether the Veteran's right foot condition was incurred in or related to his active-duty service, including as a result of combat field training at Fort Polk, LA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is related to service and has been aggravated by his military duties, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA examinations that consider all relevant medical history and the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to a TDIU and denied increased disability ratings for headaches and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30% and his bilateral pes planus is rated at 30%. These ratings are appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.